I rubbed my forehead lightly, still feeling the bruise when I touched it, and sighed figuring out how to explain. “That was someone in middle school,” I said and I can see them waiting for more information. “We used to date and he slowly became violent." I paused taking a deep breath, planning to tell them the truth so I should let it all out. "I'll be completely honest here, aside from dealing with haphephobia, I have depression and anxiety that sometimes it can be hard to deal with. Because of the relationship I had with him and dealing with everything in my past, I tried to commit suicide.” I said as I looked down hoping that they could understand. “When I saw Chris yesterday I was scared that he would hurt you guys which were why I left with him and one thing led to another…” Everyone fell silent, I felt Elliot wrap his arms around my shoulder trying to comfort me for speaking up and I wondered what everyone was thinking. “I'm sorry that happened,

Something within us changes afterward after that day or maybe it was me. How can the things we talked about made life easier to breathe? I was already taking slow breaths when I came to this school, taking a step when I met Elliot and they kept going higher as I made friends and being able to do more then I have ever done before. But now it felt like I was running. In my mind, I was beginning to panic because I thought I was running away from a monster that I couldn’t escape from but within the time I was able to finally lose it and found a new path that I wanted to explore. This new path that I didn’t know where it was going, what will be at the end of it, who I will meet? All sorts of wonder that slowly it wasn’t so frightening anymore. It was never easy yet, as Elliot said, I’ll be fine.Dr. Brown told me that it was okay to be anxious because I have people that I care about, which is true, but I don’t think I’ve ever told her that I als

I was leaning against Elliot while we were sitting on my bed and I’ve spent the last ten minutes looking at the black gown that I bought at school earlier today. I’m trying to let the thoughts sink in that I will finally be graduating high school within a few days and will be starting college in a few months. Elliot has his arm wrapped around my shoulder as he’s watching me and it seems like he’s trying to read my expression. He’s been home since last week after finishing exams and has been visiting me at my home after school. Elliot put a hand over mine to pull me away from my thoughts and softly kissed the side of my cheeks. I closed my eyes as I remind myself to take a deep breath and lean against his warmth.“Are you okay? Can you tell me what you're thinking?” He asked me.“I’m going to graduate,” I tell him like I’m stating a fact that is unheard of.“You are,” He agreed.I let out a heavy sigh and shifted to face him. “I’m going to graduate,” I repeated.Elliot looked back at hi

Chapter 1For the past two years, every Thursday, I would see my psychiatrist Doctor Brown; today, I am sitting across from her. We’ve been discussing my college courses for almost an hour and my frequent visits to my dad’s house. Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve noticed that my anxiety has worsened, and it’s been challenging to overcome it than usual. We talked as if we were close friends and built a bond after my first appointment. I had a psychiatrist four years ago while in the process of living with my mom after my suicide attempt, but I’ve never felt as open as I have been with Doctor Brown and I hope I can continue these sessions a little longer.“So, what are you going to do this weekend?” She asked me after we changed topics.“I don’t think I’ll be doing anything aside from seeing my friends from high school this evening, and Elliot won’t be able to join me, but he should be here right now. He wanted to take me home, and he wouldn’t take no for an answer. He had classes ear

It took me a moment to get out of the car, wanting to stay a little longer, but I knew that he didn’t have enough time to hang around and I waved to him before stepping inside my house. I walked over to my room and buried my face on my pillow as I laid down. I let out a heavy sigh and noticed the silence in the house, the only sound that I could hear were the cars passing by outside. My mom and I haven’t been spending time together because I’ve been in my room studying preparing for midterms while she has her full-time work that keeps her away during the day. Having my mom away at work is something I’ve been used to, and even when I was young when my dad was occupied with his work, I’ve always been left alone for various hours. I was close to dozing off when my cell phone started ringing, and I reached into my pocket to take my phone out to answer.“Hello?” I answered.“Hey, where are you?” Luis asked, his voice full of energy. “I’m assuming you are done with your therapy session.”“Y